Spirited Saints Fall Short In Exciting Adran Trophy Semi-final

Match Report

Here’s the starting line-up for this afternoon’s @AdranLeagues Trophy semi-final against @CardiffMetWFC.#TNSMET #AdranTrophy pic.twitter.com/FzQOfDb8eY

— The New Saints FC Women 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@tnsfcwomen) February 27, 2022

The New Saints Women exited the Trophy in a 3-2 loss despite playing phenomenally for large parts of the contest.

Andy Williams’ team took the lead mid-way through the first half from  Lexie Harrison, however the Archers took a 2-1 lead at the break after goals from Emily Allen and Tija Richardson.

The New Saints can great heart from a fine effort against the multiple league champions.

Goals were shared in the second-half through another Allen finish and a Georgia Griffiths volley.

In the fifth minute of the game, Beth Lewis whipped in a free-kick that found Charlotte Turner in the box, the centre-half had an attempt that Annabel Sweeney saved.

A minute on, the students had a chance when Elianna Chavez crossed in a ball to Emily Allen who hit the effort over the crossbar in the 18-yard area.

Moments later, Lexie Harrison got on the end of an over-the-top ball and got an attempt away in the penalty area which Sweeney just managed to collect.

In the 12^th minute, Sophie Hancocks played a corner ball in to Tija Richardson who headed at goal, as Sarah Parkes palmed away the attempt.

A minute on Andy Williams’ team took the lead. Harrison shot in the box and scored past Sweeney’s bottom-right corner.

In the 19^th, the Students were back on the attack. Hancocks delivered a ball from a corner that found Allen who had a header that deflected wide.

A minute on, Allen had a big opportunity in the box that was shot wide of the post.

In the 26^th minute Met equalised. Allen got on the end of a delivery and headed in past Parkes’ left.

Just past the half hour mark, Chavez had an effort from 20-yards out that drifted wide of the net.

Not long after, Allen played a ball in to Chavez who had a shot from close range which was met by an excellent stop from Sarah Parkes.

In the 36^th, Lia Lewis had a shot from just outside the box that just went over the Archers’ goal.

Three after, Hancocks drifted in and out the Saints defence, but could ultimately could only hit the side netting in the 18-yard area.

Just before the break, the away team took the lead. Hancocks played a corner in to Richardson who headed into Parkes’ bottom-right.

At the start of the second forty-five, Emily Ridge laid off Lewis who had a shot from just outside the penalty area that went over the crossbar.

In the 51^st minute, Hancocks delivered a cross from a corner that found Richardson who headed wide of the net.

Twenty on, Met took a 3-1 lead. A scramble in the box saw the ball fall to Emily Allen who struck it past Parkes.

TNS reduced the lead straight away, a corner from Lucie Platt found Georgia Griffiths in the box who volleyed the ball over Sweeney and into the net.

Unfortunately, Andy Williams’ team couldn’t find any more chances as Izzy Taylor’s team held on to reach the final.

TNS are next in action against Pontypridd Town AFC Women on Sunday the 6^th of March.

The New Saints exit the Genero Adran Trophy, despite a battling performance at Park Hall. #TNSMET #AdranTrophy pic.twitter.com/CwMiMS2tUE

— The New Saints FC Women 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@tnsfcwomen) February 27, 2022

<script async